Villanova University Update on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Update as of Feb. 26, 2020

The University continues to closely monitor the evolving situation related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) in order to evaluate the outbreak’s impact on our programs overseas, other University international travel and operations here on campus. As you know, the health and safety of all members of our community is of the utmost importance to us here at Villanova.

Given the rapid increase in the number of confirmed cases in Northern Italy, we have made the decision to bring home our students who are abroad in Italy. The University is in close contact with other study abroad programs in which Villanova students are participating and will determine appropriate responses to additional disruptions caused by the coronavirus.

Villanova has an emergency preparedness team consisting of leaders from across our campus who are meeting regularly and who are reviewing information from outside experts to assess how the virus may affect our campus and those who are overseas.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, the epidemic has now spread to more than 40 countries around the world. Yesterday, the CDC alerted Americans to begin to prepare for the spread of the coronavirus in the United States. They also advised to prepare for the possibility of disruptions to daily life, suggesting that businesses, schools and families plan for its potential impact.

With the University’s spring break approaching, we wanted to take this opportunity to reach out to all members of our campus community about the importance of staying informed about the spread of coronavirus. We are strongly recommending and encouraging our students, faculty and staff to be cautious about their travel choices during spring break and beyond.

Currently, there are no confirmed cases in the Philadelphia area or at Villanova University. For more information on the coronavirus, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. Information about Villanova’s response to date can be found here.

We will continue to communicate with students, their families, faculty and staff about the coronavirus, especially given its rapid spread in Italy.

Patrick G. Maggitti, PhD, Provost

The Rev. John Stack, OSA, Vice President for Student Life